Ultimaker uses functional, analytical and tracking cookies. Tracking cookies enhance your experience on our website and may also collect your personal data outside of Ultimaker websites. If you agree with the use of tracking cookies, click “I agree, continue browsing”. You can withdraw your consent at any time. If you do not consent with the use of tracking cookies, click “Refuse”. You can find more information about cookies on our Privacy and Cookie Policy page.

Choosing the Ultimaker S5 Material Station setup that’s right for you

Which Ultimaker S5 Material Station setup is right for you?

Adam Kohut
Adam Kohut  
  • Applications

The Ultimaker S5 Material Station marks an important contribution to a ‘no-hassle’ office solution. As part of the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, it features easy front loading for up to six spools of filament, end-of-filament detection, NFC recognition with compatible materials, and automatic material switching. But how best to configure your Material Station for your use case? Read on for a few tips. 

Ultimaker-Pro-Bundle
The Ultimaker Pro Bundle features the Ultimaker S5, plus its Air Manager and Material Station

Stay consistent

Model-making, prototyping, production runs often require only one print color. For these cases – and for large, time-consuming prints – the Material Station is best loaded with six spools of the same color of filament, allowing you to greatly limit time spent replacing print material. Just start printing and get on with your day.  

A single-material configuration is best-suited for use cases that require only one color, such as architectural models or lengthy prints
A single-material configuration is suited for use cases that require only one color, such as architectural models

Stay stable

Complex prints often require support material to prevent overhangs from collapsing. By loading the Material Station with three spools of regular material and three spools of support materials like Breakaway or PVA – or a four-two division, depending on the amount of each type of material needed – you will ensure that your prints come out stable and ready for action. A fully enclosed chamber keeps relative humidity below 40%, meaning PVA, which degrades when not properly stored, can be kept for much longer periods of time, eliminating the potential for wastage. 

A combination of regular and support print material may be appropriate for complex or batch prints
A combination of regular and support print material may be appropriate for complex or batch prints

Other materials, such as glass fiber-reinforced nylon, will also degrade if not kept at proper humidity. The Material Station provides a suitable environment for these materials and many others available within the Ultimaker Marketplace. 

Stay organized 

In a fast-paced environment such as a manufacturing line, the use of multiple tools, jigs, and fixtures is all but required. To keep things moving – and to maintain an appropriate level of safety – color-coding is an excellent option. With the Material Station, this is easily done.  

 

Using a multicolor configuration can help with color-coding jigs, tools, and fixtures
Using a multicolor configuration can help with color-coding jigs, tools, and fixtures

The Ultimaker S5 can print with up to two colors per print. Coupled with Ultimaker Connect, however, you can queue print jobs. So long as your prints fit the build plate – or you are present to manually remove them after each print is finished – you will be able to create prints using any combination of six filament colors.  

You can also use multiple colors to create parts with functional wear elements. These prints require two colors, with one wearing away as it is used – think gears, close-fitting tools, or robotic grippers. When the secondary color begins to show, you will know the part needs to be replaced.

Stay informed

Material configurations are one thing. The confidence that comes with a clear overview of all your prints is another. That’s where Ultimaker software steps in. When connected with a Material Station, the Ultimaker S5 will show all available material combinations in the configuration selector in Ultimaker Cura.  

The touchscreen of the Ultimaker S5 will also show all materials which have been loaded into the bays – as well as what extruder each material is loaded to. NFC-compatible materials will be automatically recognized and displayed on the touchscreen.

Ultimaker S5 touchscreen
Information about loaded materials is visible on the Ultimaker S5's touchscreen

Going further, battery-style indicators in Ultimaker Cloud and Ultimaker Connect show material amount status, so you know which materials to load next. These indicators are also reflected on the interface of the Ultimaker S5.  

Battery-style indicators in Ultimaker Cloud show amount of remaining material
Battery-style indicators in Ultimaker Cloud show amount of remaining material

Ready to revolutionize your workflow and unlock 24/7 3D printing? The Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, which features the Ultimaker S5, plus its Material Station and Air Manager, is now shipping. 

Request a quote

Read more blogs

3D printing materials: Filaments and filament production

3D printing materials: Filaments and filament production

In the final of our three-part series on 3D printing materials, we take a look at types of printing filament, additives and blends that give materials mechanical properties, as well as provide a brief overview as to filament production.

  • Applications
cura 4 5 OG

Introducing Ultimaker Cura 4.5

Ultimaker Cura 4.5 is officially live. The latest version of Ultimaker’s open-source slicing software offers useful new features, and coincides with the launch of the improved Ultimaker Marketplace.

  • News
materials-og

3D printing materials: Types, categories, and use cases

In part two of our three-part series on 3D printing materials, we take a look at material types, categories, and use cases – as well as a brief overview of composite and bio-based, biodegradable, and recycled materials.

  • Applications
webinar-recap-schubert-og

Webinar recap: Unlocking distributed manufacturing

Check out the recap of our latest webinar, to learn how well-known manufacturers such as Ford are using 3D printing – and how your business can gain a competitive advantage by doing the same.

  • News
cura-45-marketplace

The Ultimaker Marketplace is more accessible than ever

Thanks to a new intuitive web interface for the Ultimaker Marketplace, users can now simply browse, search, and subscribe. There's no need to open Ultimaker Cura beforehand – downloaded plugins and print profiles will automatically be associated with your Ultimaker account upon logging in.

  • News
webinar-composites-og

Webinar recap: How to choose the right composite material

In the recap of our first webinar, "The 3D printing mindset: How to choose the right composite material", we're offering an overview of what was covered, what was asked, and what's to come.

  • News